The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-07-01
A GREAT FIRE AT WINONA.
Destruction Of the Saw Mills Of the
Laird-Norton Lumber Co.

Destruction Of the Saw Mills Of the
Laird Morton Lumber Co.
The Laird-Norton Lumber Co., of Wi
mona, represented i'm this city by Mr..
VIM. M. Farr, suffered a severe loss yes
terday in the destruction of their big
mil. The loss is placed at 500, 600, with
insurance to the amount Of $50, 800. The
following account of the fire is clipped
from the Winona Republican,:
About O'Clock this friday morning
fire broke out in the large saw mill OF
the Laird-Norton Company, and in a
few minutes the whole structure was in
ruins. The flames seemed to burst out
from all parts of the mill at once and
made such rapid Roadway that the APP
piiances in the engine room for extin-
gushing fire could not be used. The
Waterman, Nelson, first saw smoke ls-
He ran into the engine room and with
the other Waterman started with the
hose through the large iron door leading
to the mill, but they no sooner opened
it than thew discovered that the whole
city was ablaZe. They were driven back
to the engine room and had barely time
to blow the alarm whistle twice before
the flames drove them out of there, too.
The general alarm that went up from
the mills brought the fremen and q
crowd of citizens to the scene. Fortu-
nately there was little wind, but the
heat was intense. The fire crept along
the tramways leading across Front street
and to the eastern and western portions
of the yards. but the firemen fought it
back, successfully shielding themselves
as best they could with doors and other
projections, but in most cases standing
up 10 their duty regardless of personal
comfort. Four or five box cars standing
on Front street caught fire and were
badly burned but were prevented from
being entirely consumed.
The mill was originally built in 1857.
1t was rebuilt and enlarged in 1878, and
was one of the largest and best equipped
mills in the Northwest, or indeed in the
entire Mississippi river valley. I'M
provements were being made continual
ly, and every season found the mill we'll
equipped with the latest improvements.
In general terms it had two gangs, ro-
tary, and band saw, a twelve block ro-
tating shingle mill, and a one hand shin
gle mill, lath mill, and all the accesso-
ries of tirst-class establishment. The
power was furnished by two large en-
gines. Its capacity in round numbers
was from 10000 to 900 feet of lum-
Der day, but the average daily cut was
5000 feet, besides loo, 900 shingles and
$1,000 lath The mill was valued at $780,
600; The insurance was $50, 500. The
disaster comes at most unfortunate
tIme-in the midst of the busy saving
season. About 200 men will be thrown
out of employment. This is one OF the
serious effects of the fire. One of the
firm remarked to a representative of the
Republican: 81 feel very sorry to have
our men thrown out of work. Some of
them felt SO bad that they had tears IN
their eyes," ----.e----.- -.
1t is the most extensive loss that has
ever visited the lumber districts of Wi
mona. Realizing the magnitude of their
business and the danger from fire the
lumbermen have always been very vigi-
liant and have taken every possible pre-
caution to guard against fire, but the
subtle destroyer will often battle the
keenest vigilance.
The company with accustomed enter
prise will proceed at once to clear away
the debris and rebuild.